The dwarf stifled a yawn as he entered the tavern for a warm morning meal. “Morning,” he mumbled to his companions as he sat down heavily at the table. Last night’s watches had been uneventful, so it seemed there was little left they could do to aid the village other than check out the Tower itself. But Feldard was reluctant to suggest it, nevermind do it, due to the presence of yet another evil mage. He’d had plenty time last night with Nefen and Burr to rethink his initial reaction to the orcs presence. Even cracking a few orc heads, didn’t seem worth the risk of messing with this Dentiata. However, if that’s what the party decided, he would not let them go alone. But he wasn’t the one that was going to bring it up – no way, no how. That decided, he turned his attention to the conversation of the others.

As everyone gathered in the tavern to discuss the nights’ events Maruc put down his drink and spoke up. “Well it seems we were fortunate last night but I doubt after one nights vigillance we would catch anyone causing mischief. we will have to challenge the power of Dentiata in his own stronghold if we are to put a stop to his dealings. What are your thoughts?”

Miklos tried to think of another way around the problem but none of his soultions could circumvent actually facing Dentiata. As he has said before surprise was their best hope. “If we are going to be foolish enough to tackle Dentiata at all our only hope would be surprise. Some sort of lightening raid where he has little time to react or prepare. Maruc was right we are as prepared for battle as we are ever likely to be so the logical answer would be to strike now.”

Sitting at the table, Saeth gave a slight nod to the ponderous Dwarf. “Any luck rounding up the Orcs, Feldard?” She sipped her ale, and looked about. “They are most active just before dawn, if I recall correctly…”

Feldard glanced over to the Elf at her little quip. Shaking his head sourly, “Nothing was seen on either of my watches. And if the cycle goes as we were told, there won’t be more raiding until just before the next new moon.” The dwarf took a moment to breakfast with a bowlful of hot cereal while he considered the priests and the mages words. Swallowing, his last bite he nodded to more to himself than to the group.

“Waiting it seems will only put off the inevitable. If we’re doing this lets get it done.”

Only that Denetiata keeps livestock.” Miklos replied. “And a rather fine horse. There are two wolves guarding the gate to the tower though. Skelly used meat to placate them in his adventures in the area, but could tell us noting of the troup numbers or watch changing times and so forth. Which is hardly surprising when you think about it. Still even this is useful. We could have accidentally raised the alarm too early if those wolves attract too much attention.”

Maruc lent back in his chair allowing his breakfast to digest. “So as far as the intelligence we have gathered so far we are facing Orc mercinaries,Wolf sentinels possibly a werewolf, although the presence of the wolves at the gate might well explain some attacks. We are deealing with a cunning wizard in a fortified position. We do have an advantage though. Forgive me Miklos, but from my experience so far wizards tend to be somewhat arrogant and superior. If Denetiata has been the architect of the Tower he will be supremely confident of its ability to repel a raid. We can use this conceit against him.”

“Miklos were you to build a Tower what would you do to protect yourself?”

“Well I would certainly magically lock the gates to my inner sanctum. I’d employ or create loyal and trustworty guards. I’d design cunning magical traps to capure the unwary. If possible I would regulary employ a scrying device such as a crystal ball, cerainly if I was aware of iminent trouble. I would try understand my assailents by meeting them with a phantasmal projection to try to understand my enemy and therefore learn how to defeat or evade them. I would hope Denetiata is no so vindicive as I would be.”

“Let us hope not Miklos.” Maruc turned to the assembled crowd. ” Who of the villagers will aid us in reconning with Denetiata?” Maruc searched the faces of the village folk trying to divine their vallience.”

“If speed is of the essence, why don’t we get the boy to distract the wolves for us? I mean, if we’re looking to get in silently…” The Elf didn’t think that the others would go for the idea, but Shelly had done it safely before. “We could be halfway to our target by the time we’re noticed, even in heavy armour.” She nodded towards the Dwarf. She wasn’t entirely sure what the target was in this case, but it didn’t really matter. Surely the village could pay their fees out of whatever was looted.

Feldard frowned at the Elfs suggestion of using the boy to distract the wolves. “Sounds risky to me. Would likely be better to have Miklos just put them to sleep.” He glanced over towards the mage for a moment. “This is all assuming that we want to sneak in. So how are we planning on sneaking in when we haven’t even laid eyes on the Tower?”

“I’d rather save my magic for dealing with Orcs.” Miklos said. “We can still run away if the wolves cannot be subduded, Runing away from further within the Tower might not be possible. Maruc could you find a herb locally that could be added to the meat to make the wolves drowsy?”